I have been a recreational leather tinkerer for the past 20 years, just making the odd saddle bag, knife sheath etc. Most of my work is just for fun and gifts to friends and family. For the past few months, I have really gotten a passion to improve my meager skills and I have been trying (in vain mostly) to achieve more professional results. For example, I finally splurged last month and upgraded from my boss to the Cobra class 4 (Love it so far). That really helped my stitching (and my arm). I have been focusing on working on my edges, trying different burnishing methods, gum tragamath (?), and reading everything you guys write on the subject. They are getting better, but not to the level I want.
Here's my first question:
Last night I finished a bag and after sanding it to get the pieces level (front and back), I beveled the edges, and then do to the thickness of the piece I burnished the edges with a dowel wrapped in canvas that I placed in my drill press. I slightly wet the edges and went at it for a while. They looked good, but not great. I still had that seem showing between the pieces. After it dried, I died the edges and them I could really see the flaws. It is a round piece that goes over the horn of the saddle for a small bag. It just is not round enough. I can see the flaws in the cuts and it looks bumpy. Any ideas on how to fix this? The leather is already dyed.
Thanks to all you for your posts. I have learned a lot over the past few months. I look forward to being able to contribute my own ideas and help to someone some day.
Jim
